Boise State Adds Akot to Future Basketball Roster

Boise State basketball coach Leon Rice continues to build for the future even as he works on improving the present.

Rice has signed another exceptional talent for the future as Emmanuel Akot will join the team this summer.

Akot comes to the Broncos after spending a year and a half at Arizona, as he played the entirety of the 2017-18 season and the first half of 2018-19. He will have to sit out the 2019-20 season before being eligible for competition in 2020-21 with two years of athletic eligibility remaining.

"We are very excited to have Emmanuel join our program," Rice said. "Bronco Nation is going to love his size, toughness and ability to play multiple positions. His experience and leadership abilities are going to play a huge part in this program moving forward."

Akot hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and finished his high school career at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah.

247Sports dubbed him with a five-star rating when he came out in 2017, putting him as the No. 24 overall player and the No. 7 small forward in their national rankings.

Akot was also praised by ESPN.com and given a four-star rating with a scout grade of 88, making him the highest rated player (as a prep) to ever join Boise State. He was ranked the 43rd-best player and was a member of ESPN's Top 100 for 2017.

"I chose Boise State because of the culture," Akot said on why he chose to become a Bronco. "Coach Rice does a great job of running the show and helping his players improve and reach their goals. I'm excited to join a great community and to do big things as a Bronco."

Boise State will close out the regular season tomorrow by hosting Air Force at 5 p.m.

The Broncos made news this week when it was announced they are officially the most unlucky team of 353 collegiate basketball teams this season having lost nine of ten one possession or overtime games.

The latest setback was Wednesday night at the Pit in Albuquerque 73-72 to New Mexico.